KEY POINTS:
The Pitcairn Island women who were raped in their childhood and are now eligible for compensation from the British government are relieved the fight is over, their lawyer says.
Eight men were found guilty and a ninth pleaded guilty to rape and sexual assault charges after trials on the island in 2004 and in New Zealand in 2006.
The British government had earlier said a criminal compensation scheme that provides up to £44,000 ($126,509) to rape victims did not apply to the Pitcairn Island women.
But yesterday it announced the women were eligible for the money after all.
The women's lawyer, Bruce Corkill QC, said it had been a long battle.
"But it is an appropriate step and one that we've been holding out for and the reaction so far from those to whom I've spoken is that they are just relieved," he told Radio New Zealand.
He said nine women had cases go to trial, but there were about another 20 women who could qualify for the compensation.
Women could apply for the money if police considered there was sufficient evidence, on the basis of a complainant's statement, to charge another person.
Mr Corkill said he had argued that if it was appropriate to apply the British criminal code on the Pitcairn Island then the flipside was the British Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme should also apply.
"That argument didn't gain traction initially.
"We were on the brink of issuing proceedings to test the issue, and it was at that point that constructive dialogue commenced."
He said the money would go some way into recognising the very serious abuse they suffered.
"They continue to suffer it - it's a token, but it helps them move on."
Pitcairn Island Governor George Fergusson, who is also Britain's High Commissioner to New Zealand, said the compensation was "appropriate".
But he said it had taken a long time to work out how to award the money and make it work.
He was not sure how long it would take before any compensation was handed over.
"We think most of the women who are eligible are already aware and are somewhere down the track."
The British government had spoken with 26 women so far.
"But we can't be absolutely sure that there aren't lots of others."
Reporter Kathy Marks, who covered the trials and later wrote a book which documented how the society went astray, said the women suffered terribly during their childhoods.
"Some of those women were raped repeatedly at a very young age."
She said the compensation was "symbolic" and would be welcome.
"Money can buy things that are very useful, and I think education and guidance and a bit more oversight will all help to create a healthier, more functional society."
- NZPA
